The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has awarded Kainos a four-year contract worth up to £73 million to deliver a new digital Driver Services Platform (DSP) that it says will make it easier for learners to book and schedule driving tests.
The transformation of the DSP is a key part of DVSA’s wider Service Transformation Programme that aims to make it easier for people learning to drive, driving instructors and DVSA employees to access and manage essential driving services.
Kainos, which has worked with the DVSA for more than a decade on its MOT and Theory Services, will lead the delivery of the DSP. The platform will replace the agency’s legacy systems with a modern, modular platform built on Microsoft technologies, including Dynamics and Power Platform.
According to the company, this will give DVSA the flexibility to improve service delivery, streamline the learner journey from theory test to practical test, and offer “a consistent, accessible experience across all touchpoints.”
Alex Fiddes, head of digital operations at DVSA said the organisation was committed to “transforming how people interact with government services, making them simpler, faster and more accessible to everyone. This new Driver Services Platform is a vital part of that journey.
“It supports the UK Government’s wider ambition to modernise the relationship between citizen and state by using technology to reduce friction, improve accessibility and deliver more personalised services.”
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For learner drivers, said Fiddes, that means “a more cohesive experience across theory and practical tests, better visibility of available appointments and a booking system that’s easier to use and quicker to adapt to changes in demand.”
Andy Kemp, public sector director at Kainos said the programme represents a major step forward in how driver services are delivered across Great Britain.
“By replacing legacy systems with a modern, flexible service, DSP will enable smarter scheduling, reduce operational friction and empower learners, instructors and DVSA employees, through more accessible and inclusive self-service,” he said.
The DSP will eventually replace the existing platform, introducing smarter scheduling tools, improved data insights and enhanced visibility of capacity. It said learners will benefit from “a more intuitive system” for booking and managing driving tests, interacting with driving instructors and training providers, and recording qualifications such as the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
Alongside this, the platform will enhance accessibility and support for neurodiverse and deaf users, including the introduction of British Sign Language translation. The platform will also support the DVSA’s adoption of GOV.UK One Login, simplifying secure access to a range of government services.
The first phase of DSP, focused on bookings and scheduling, will start in September 2025. Further phases will be delivered incrementally over the duration of the contract term.
